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Single Idea 14062

[from 'Letter to Menoeceus' by Epicurus, in 16. Persons / F. Free Will / 6. Determinism / b. Fate ]

Full Idea

It would be better to follow the stories told about the gods than to be a slave to the fate of the natural philosophers.

Gist of Idea

Sooner follow mythology, than accept the 'fate' of natural philosophers

Source

Epicurus (Letter to Menoeceus [c.291 BCE], 134)

Book Reference

Epicurus: 'The Epicurus Reader', ed/tr. Inwood,B. /Gerson,L. [Hackett 1994], p.31


A Reaction

At this point in history there is a blurring between autonomous decisions and what we now call free will, and also between fate and determinism, which we try to keep distinct.

Related Idea

Idea 14061 Our own choices are autonomous, and the basis for praise and blame [Epicurus]